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Hope you enjoy

Chris

It’s that time of the year again, where surfers all over the globe are glued to their computer screens, or for those in Australia they head to Snapper Rocks – that’s right, it’s the Quiksilver Pro!

The Quikky Pro is the official start to the ASP world tour and one of Australia’s most prolific surf competitions.

Taking place at Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta (right on the border of NSW and QLD) it attracts the creme de le creme of the surfing world – from local 2 x world champion Mick Fanning through to surf superstar Kelly Slater everyone who’s everyone in the surf world will be there.

And with pole position on the surf circuit comes the circus that accompanies it – and hosts Quiksilver don’t disappoint.

The whole event area is turned into a mini festival – with everything from live bands through to a specially built Quiksilver shop where you can buy official festival gear or even que up to get meet your surfing heros.

Being at the mercy of mother nature there is a slight element of luck with holding the contest, but Snapper is one of the worlds best right hand surf spots – producing epic tube rides and long faces for the pros to let rip on.

It also has the advantage of having 2 other world class spots either side of it in the form of D’Bah and Kirra, so if Snapper isn’t up to scratch there’s some solid backups!

The vibe of the festival is one of surfing frenzy. There’s nothing to get you more amped to try it out yourself than watching an arvo of Dane Reynolds busting out crazy airs or Fanning sending arcs of spray against a beautiful blue Aussie sky.

Due to the geography of the surrounding area you really get the opportunity to get up close an personal with the event – from chilling on the beach whilst topping up your tan to braving the rocks to get some great pictures.

So if you’re in the area add it to your hit list – it’s an awesome spectacle to witness – and best of all it’s FREE!

If you’re not lucky enough to be sunning yourself down under you can always watch the live streaming on the offical Quiksilver Pro site, or if your a bit more technologically advanced download the official Quiksilver app and catch in on your iPhone or iPad.

But there’s one majorly fundamental question which we’ve yet to ask. A question which can shape the entirety of your journey – who do you travel with?!

To be blunt there’s two main answers to this question. You either travel alone of travel with a companion/companions.

As with many thing there are grey areas to consider – some people travel sections of their trip, some people travel in a large group and some people travel solo the whole way.

Neither way is incorrect. But both sides of the argument have a distinct set of upsides and downsides.

Solo

Travel on your own has the major advantage of the fact you only look out for yourself.

It’s simple – you go where you want, when you want and don’t have to consider anyone else in the process.

Don’t like where you are or the people around you? You just pack up and leave.

Running low on money? Just knuckle down and head where the work is.

And to be honest that’s one of the great things about traveling – for many it’s the first real sense of freedom and independence, and what better way to test your skills in the real world than heading out solo?

Being alone also means you have no one to wait around for – there’s no need to coordinate saving plans, leaving deadlines and other such things, you call all the shots.

Group

But on the flipside whats the joy of traveling without having someone to share it with? There’s one thing trekking up a mountain to catch the first glimpses of the morning light, but it’s even more special if you have someone to chat with about it – someone to recollect things with.

And that’s the main upside to traveling with people – you can spend the days wandering beaches with in your own little bubble, bouncing ideas off each other…a melting pot of travel possibilities. It also mean you never find yourself alone. You have your own little support network to get you through any tough times and you always have some good banter.

There’s some financial gain to be had in traveling in a group too. Splitting fuel bills, food cost…it can all mount up, leaving you more money to do the things you really set out to do.

Couple

Traveling as a couple is probably the most controversial of all the options. As with group travel it’s a true test of how compatible you are and how well you know each other.

Travel is a very intense process. You literally live out of each other pockets and it will soon become apparent if it’s going to work or not.

And when it doesn’t work it can go horribly wrong! There’s been a few times at work where we’ve seen relationships go rapidly down hill and before you know it you have two seemingly in love people who hate each other to the core…and worse still they have 4 months of stuff planned together and are paying to avoid each other on flights!

But when it goes right travel can really make a relationship. If you can survive penniless says with only each other for company you’re pretty set for anything!

And Me?

I’m lucky in the fact that over the course of my year in Australia I experienced every single one of these scenarios.

I enjoyed the flexibility of being on my own, the banter and variety in traveling with a group and the fun of traveling with my girlfriend.

I must admit though that I was very stubborn and kind of did what I wanted throughout! Personally I’d only travel with close friends (such as those form uni who I’ve already had a crash course in loving with!) and my brother…and the girlfriend too of course!

Choose Wisely

Overall though it entirely depends on your personality. Many long term travelers find going solo is the way forward as it’s the most flexible and secure way of getting around – and if anything goes wrong it’s your own fault.

Traveling as a group is great if your worried about meeting people or haven’t really seen the world much. It can work well as long as you trust each other and know what you’re getting yourself in for.

Being in a couple is probably the toughest. But at the same time it can also be the most rewarding. All I’ll say on that matter is it emphasizes everything. If things aren’t going well they’ll get horribly worse, if alls good it’ll go swimmingly. Please don’t use travel as a way to patch things up – it won’t happen!

Just make sure you weigh up the pros and cons before you commit – the decision will have a massive affect on your experience as a traveler and can easily make or break it.

Cat Nap, Ecuador

I shot this image in the height of the midday heat in Ecuador on the balcony of local surfboard shaper ‘Rastys’ house which overlooks the beaches of Montanita. His cat had spent the morning attacking my feet as I dozed in a hammock and by lunchtime she had crashed out. It reminds me of lazy days of surfing in the sun

Feeling relatively flush and having a good amount of time on my hand I decided to hit up all 3!

First up I decided to head to Six Flags.

I’d chosen this particular theme park to start with because after relaxing by the pool in the beaming sun for a few days I was in dire need to an adrenaline fix, and a rollercoaster park was bound to fill that void!

Even more so considering I’d never set foot on a rollercoaster before!

Anyhow – me and the guys made sure we got to the park nice and early. We knew from our research that the place was bound to get busy and the last thing we wanted to do was spend hours queuing and not get to try all the rides we wanted too.

On entering the site the sheer scale of the place was outstanding – it literally stretched on forever and was filled with every size, height, speed and type of rollercoaster you could imagine; from the worlds highest wooden rollercoaster through to the kiddy rides!

With each of them you had the option to join one of two lines – the normal first come first served line or the “I only want to sit in the front line”, naturally we opted for the front seat option. But equally natural was the fact this one was always packed.

It was well worth it though!

After popping my rollercoaster cherry on the “Batman” which was one of the ‘dangling’ variety (where you are suspended and the track lies above you) I was hooked – it was exactly the hit I was needing after my days of self indulgence!

The detail and marketing that went into each ride was of particular interest to me as a member of the media – they were detailed to the last finishing touch and all situated in their own ‘areas’ which reflected the theme. This level of detail made the whole thing an incredibly immersive experience and really set the tone for the whole day. We lived breathed and ate rollercoasters for the day!

The highlight for me was undoubtedly experiencing the ‘Superman’ – a ride which takes you from 0-100mph before sending you up a vertical wall, and then back again in reverse!

It provided an incredible rush and was worth all the hype dotted around the park. It was also worth the 2 hour wait to get on the thing – something I swore I wouldn’t do!

But when pier pressure is used, a fear of heights is factored in and a man on man bet is made there’s some things you just have to do!

Price wise it was a great investment for a solid days fun. $60 does seem pretty steep but you can easily keep yourself entertained from the time the park opens to the time they kick out!

The only downside is the inevitable captive audience cost with regards to food and drink. We were sensible enough to plan for this and took a whole heap of snacks and drinks to make sure we didn’t rupture money on overpriced burgers and snack food!

First park down and a great day out – it set the bar for the next parks pretty high! But after a good nights sleep I was ready for round 2…

From the wannabes that never quite made it to the global superstars.

And it’s this magnetism for recognition that makes LA such an intriguing place to visit. It’s home to many icons of the media created world we live in – both landmarks and people.

As a photographer and member of the media it has long intrigued me – so I headed to the West Coast of America to see how the fame game has shaped this city and why it has become such a popular destination on the tourist map.

From the moment you first step foot outside of LA airport you know the whole experience is going to be rather different and full on from other cities. People often go on about the culture shock in destination within Asia but even as a westernised country America is something else – but this may just be due to the fact I’m a born and bred country boy!

The main thing that struck me was the intensity of the place. Something as simple as walking down the street became a bombardment of advertising and visual treats. The place is literally a sensual overload.

But don’t be put off – once the initial shock wares off the city offers up many exciting things to see and do. From the relaxation of the many Californian beaches on it’s doorstep set against the ever present over the top personalities at muscle beach through to the world famous face of Mickey Mouse and Disneyland resort it really does have something for everyone.

A quick stroll around town can find you taking in some of the incredible architecture – the bizzare Groumans Chinese Theatre, familiar movie locations and the vast show of wealth amongst the mansions of Rodeo Drive.

But the real fun comes when you start moving out of the main town and into the surrounding areas.

Visiting the picture perfect Hollywood sign is a must – as is the view from up in the hills – LA sits beautifully nestled amongst the landscape, a city where dreams are simultaneously made and crushed. It has an allure that I can’t really explain or put my finger on.

The highlights of my trip were undoubtedly 6 flags magic mountain (a review of which is in the pipeline) and as a massive media buff a tour around universal studios is a must – shooting some hoops on the set of ER or touring the infamous Central Perk provides some awesome holiday snaps!

For me LA was like New Yorks sunnier, but equally dominant sibling. It oozes the style and glamour but has a softer and less daunting side.

As with most of my trips to the USA the whole thing was a far cry from the backpacker scene of Australia (as stand alone trips they were always destined to be this way ) – but even still I can see Americas growing appeal – especially as a bolt on at the end of an around the world trip, either as a short stopover or major element in it’s own right.

Our American Guru Will raves about the place though and has witnessed it through a completely different perspective – his articles are coming soon in a dedicated America series so keep your eyes peeled for some alternative experiences in the US.

If you are thinking about hitting the States try to leave some of your prejudice behind – the reasonable exchange rate makes it pretty good value for money, there’s heaps to do and it can act as a great stepping stone either to get you into the swing of being on the road or to readjust you back into ‘normal life’ on the way home!

Sunset Cooking, Morocco

This time next month I’ll be packing to head back to the sunkissed coast of Southern Morocco – so naturally I’ve been reminiscing about my previous visit a couple years ago by flicking through my pics! This image was shot at the Errant Surf Camp where I was staying and our local host cooked up an epic meal of BBQ fish under the warmth of an evening sunset…what better way to finish a day of beautiful surf?!

And with an abundance of people comes a whole new train of thought to tap into and experience. You’ll find throughout your travels that people have a huge range of opinions and knowledge – some you’ll want to hear, some you won’t, and some you don’t have a choice in!

One of the great things about this is the more you explore the more hints and tips you pick up – from the best way to cook noodles or stomach goon through to great ways to make a bit of cash.

These simple, often overlooked bits of information can be invaluable – especially to the novice traveller – and the ‘wise’ and seasoned nomads amongst us should pass them on.

So here’s a few of my favourite – some helpful, some amusing and some you may already know.

Pass on the knowledge!

• Roll your clothes and pack light. It’s the one thing almost every backpacker will tell you – roll don’t fold! You may be going away for a long period of time but do you really need 4 pairs of shoes or 8 hoodies?! lay everything you think you need out on the bed….now half it!

• Cook yourself. It may seem common sense that cooking for yourself or splitting with a friend will cut your costs, but its often overlooked

• Backup you documents. It’s a great idea to scan all your important documents like visas, travel insurance, passport and driving license. give a copy to your parents and save a copy in a folder on your email – that way your covered if anything goes missing

• ICE ICE baby! Paramedics all over the world are trying to implement the ‘ICE’ idea, saving a series of “In Case of Emergency” numbers on your phone, so if you end up in an accident they can quickly contact someone.

• Leave some money at home.A simple tip that will help you overcome any financial issues you may come across or if you need to get somewhere in a hurry. Simply leave behind and bookmark it for emergencies.

• Don’t rely on the bank of mum and dad. For many people backpacking is a right of passage, the first time the can truly be independent. And it’s a great test of how you can survive on your own. No one likes the spoilt backpacker who’s traveling on Daddy’s credit card, so try and do it alone as much as you can – it’ll give you a new found confidence and sense of accomplishment.

• Plan ahead.You don’t have map out every detail but having a slight plan financially  and travel wise could save you time and money in the long run. Even if it’s ket places you want to visit or big trip you want to go on – make sure you don’t miss out!

• But at the same time go with the flow. Keep your eyes and mind open to new opportunities – experience new people, places and activities, that’s what makes traveling so exciting.

• Copy your photos. Download and store your photos on a weekly basis at least, and make multiple backups – even send a DVD of them home once a month. The last thing you want to do is loose your memories.

• Smile and be friendly. Your traveling, other people are traveling, everyone wants to meet new people and make new friends. So make yourself approachable whether your a solo traveler or a couple – if you look unfriendly or unapproachable then it’s inevitable that you wont make as many friends.

• Enjoy yourself. At the end of the day backpacking is all about – go explore the world and have a great time!

Living Free, Byron Bay

It’s exactly a year to the day that I first rolled into what would become my main home in Australia – Byron Bay. So what would be more fitting than a picture from those first few days that encapsulates the free living, hippie ideology that makes this small beachside town such a major stop on the backpacker trail? So here are my original Byron Crew – Frank, Sammy, Ben, Myself, Kerri, Katie and Dan skinny dipping at Broken Head – good times!

Once you’ve decided where you’re heading, how you’re getting there and how you’ll be carrying your life around you’ll need to start deciding what you actually need to take with you!

When preparing for my trip to Oz I passed a kit list – a kit list which had originated sometime before it got to me, had been rewritten, edited, edited some more and then I added and took away some additional items.

And now the time has come to pass this trusty list onto you guys to help with your trip. It’s by no means perfect, exhaustive and some of it will be completely irrelevant to some people and destinations. But it’s a great list from which to start your planning. Build on it, hack it down and remember to pass it on!

A quick rule of thumb though – lay out everything you think you need to take with you.

Then half it!

Also be prepared to dummy pack your bag on a few occasions, don’t leave it until the last minute because you’ll never be able to repack it or find what you’re looking for. Your bag is going to be the lifeblood of your travels – make sure you know what goes where and that you have a little extra room to add to it along the way.

Essentials;

Passport

Plane Tickets

Visa documents

Insurance documents

Driving license

Money!

Copy of my CV (if on WHV)

(back up with scans on email account)

Useful stuff to have;

Guide books/map

Head torch

Water bottle

iPod

Pack of cards

Plug adapters

Camera + Memory Cards + Charger + Card reader

Phone (unlocked) + Charger

Laptop + Charger

First aid kit (plasters, antiseptic, bandage, sling, tweezers, sealed needles + syringe)

Insect Repellent

Clothing;

Closed top shoes x 1pair

Flip flops x 1pair

Boxers x 5

Socks x 2pairs

T-shirts x 5

Boardies x 2

Shorts x 1

Trousers x 1pair

Hoody x 1

Light waterproof coat x 1

Sunglasses x 1pair

Beach towel

Toiletries;

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Flannel

Deodrant

Nail clippers

Condoms